Ghost Jury

The recent form tells a story of a horse that is engaged but not quite there. In the last six races, Ghost Jury has finished second, fifth, fourth, and fourth in its completed runs — close enough to suggest it belongs on a racecourse, not close enough to suggest a win is coming anytime soon. It raced just yesterday, which at least confirms it is fit, active, and still being given chances by Kayley Woollacott's yard in Somerset.

Woollacott is no small operation — her team has sent out 16 winners this season, so there is clearly ability in the stable. Ghost Jury just hasn't been the one to contribute to that tally. Ben Godfrey has been in the saddle for 7 of the horse's 12 races and has yet to ride it to a win, giving the partnership a record of 0 from 7 together. That is a long run without reward for a jockey who keeps coming back for more.

At Class 5, the lowest tier of competitive racing, Ghost Jury has raced five times and still hasn't won. To put that in perspective, Class 5 is where horses go to find a race they can win — these are not the grand occasions or the elite fields. The fact that Ghost Jury hasn't been able to capitalise even at this level is the most telling detail of all. Three places from 12 races suggests a horse that is honest and tries hard, but for now, Ghost Jury remains a horse that racegoers watch finish third and sigh quietly into their tea.